Political Science and Government at Gannon University

A bachelor's in Political Science from Gannon likely produces outcomes right at the Pennsylvania median—first-year earnings around $37,500 against roughly $26,000 in debt. While the federal government suppresses this program's specific data due to small graduate samples, comparable political science programs across Pennsylvania cluster tightly in this range. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 sits comfortably below the concerning 1.0 threshold, meaning graduates should be able to manage their loans on a typical political science salary.

The challenge is that political science bachelor's degrees—whether from Gannon or most other PA schools—face limited early-career earning potential unless graduates pursue law school, graduate degrees, or competitive government positions. The state's top programs (Penn at $65,000, Lehigh at $54,000) demonstrate that institutional prestige and alumni networks matter significantly in this field, where many lucrative paths require additional credentials or connections that a mid-tier program may not provide as readily.

For families considering Gannon, the financial picture appears manageable but not exceptional. If your child plans to work immediately after graduation in typical political science roles—advocacy organizations, local government, campaigns—expect modest starting salaries that make $26,000 in debt workable but leave little room for error. If law school or graduate study is the goal, factor those additional costs into your calculation from day one.